Mourinho Instructs Man Utd Chiefs To Launch Move For £54m Midfielder

The opening of the summer transfer window is fast approaching so we’ll bring you all the latest transfer rumours and gossip from around the globe. Today, Manchester United are linked with Saul Niguez….

Jose Mourinho has asked Manchester United chiefs to do all they can to sign Atletico Madrid’s £54m-rated midfielder Saul Niguez this summer, according to the Daily Star.

Mourinho was finally confirmed as the new United manager last week and is expected to be busy in the transfer market reshaping the squad he inherited from sacked Dutchman Louis van Gaal.

The former Chelsea boss is understood to be relishing the chance to work with talented youngsters like Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial but is understandably also wanting to put his own stamp on the team.

The Daily Star claim that Mounrinho has already spoken with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward about potential new signings with Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez believed to be among his top targets.

The 21-year-old capped off a superb campaign with a solid display in last night’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid and the newspaper says that Atletico rewarded his fine form with a new bumper contract that saw his buyout clause increase to £54m.

However, that doesn’t appear to have put off Mourinho as the Daily Star claims the Portuguese coach has asked United officials to do all they can to lure the Spanish international to Old Trafford this summer.

Niguez has predominantly played as a central midfielder for Diego Simeone’s team but he’s also capable of playing out wide of even in defence so he’d be a valuable asset for Mourinho to have in his new-look squad next season.

A new central midfielder is likely to be on the agenda for the so-called ‘Special One’ this summer as Michael Carrick is out-of-contract next month and Bastian Schweinsteiger has endured an injury-plagued campaign, so Niguez would breath new life in to the United engine room.

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I’m sure Atletico will be desperate to keep hold of the talented Spaniard but there is little they could do if United decide to trigger his buyout clause and with Simeone casting doubt on his long-term future at the Vicente Calderon, perhaps Niguez may decide it’s time for a new challenge too.

However, United may want to make their move soon as Niguez has been named in Vicente del Bosuqe’s 23-man squad for Euro 2016 and a positive showing in France is only going to further increase the competition for his signature.